"Come on, get dressed," Olivia said, treating her like a child. She pulled out a white lace dress from the wardrobe and helped Paige put it on, then led her to the bathroom and showed her how to brush her teeth. When Paige brushed her teeth, Olivia was touched, thinking she'd taught her something new. "Miss, you're so smart. You can brush your teeth by yourself now."
After all the fuss, Olivia led Paige downstairs. The living room windows were open, filling the house with the scent of roses from the garden. Enrico was sitting on the sofa, leaning forward, holding a game controller, his long fingers skillfully maneuvering it. The TV was filled with the sounds of a battle game.
He was actually playing video games.
Jaden stood nearby, impeccably dressed in a suit, reporting business matters. Enrico, focused on his video game, occasionally interjected, "The price isn't right. Keep lowering it."
"Lower? It's already quite low," Jaden said, puzzled.
"If we don't lower it, how will it rebound?" Enrico replied casually, his eyes never leaving the TV screen.
"I'm just worried the investors will panic. They won't know whether to sell or buy more," Jaden noted.
"I don't care about them. As long as we make money, that's all that matters," Enrico said nonchalantly.
"Understood," Jaden continued with his report. "Also, about the secretary-general moving to serve the CA President..."
Enrico sneered at the mention, "I gave him power, a huge bonus, and he turns around and joins someone else. Do you really need me to tell you how to handle this kind of trash?"
He noticed Paige standing on the stairs and beckoned her over with a finger.
"Come here." His tone was casual, as if calling a pet.
Paige didn't react, so Olivia nudged her downstairs, smiling as she pushed her towards Enrico.
Enrico grabbed her slender wrist and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arm around her. He resumed his game, his chin resting against the side of her forehead, eyes glued to the screen.
Paige forced herself to endure it, but Enrico wasn't done with her. He shoved the controller into her hands, then guided her fingers over it, chuckling softly, "Your hands are so small?"
His deep, magnetic voice was so close to her ear that it momentarily left her shy.
Jaden wisely put away his documents and stepped back.
Paige felt extremely uncomfortable being held by Enrico, with her hands manipulated by him. He would press her index finger, then push her thumb...
"Bang!" Suddenly, Enrico tightened his hold on her, mimicking a low, raspy explosion sound in her ear, both intimate and intense.
Paige's heart pounded wildly, and she nearly jumped off his lap. She realized it was just a victory in the game, and he was imitating the ending sound effect.
Pervert.
Total pervert.
Paige thought silently to herself.
Susan entered, carrying a few freshly cut roses.
Enrico glanced at her, his voice cold, "Why did you cut them?"
Susan hadn't expected Enrico to care about such a small matter and was instantly flustered. She lowered her head and stammered, "Mr. Gustin, these flowers were climbing over the wall and didn't look good. I thought I'd cut them to make a decoration."
"Bang!"
Enrico threw the controller aside, his voice icy, "Why is it that every year there's something or someone betraying me? Whether it's people or flowers."
Susan stood there with her head down, too scared to say a word.
"These flowers are climbing over the wall. Why keep them? Tear them up and throw them in the trash."
"Yes, Mr. Gustin."
Susan didn't dare disobey, hurriedly tearing the roses to pieces and tossing them into the trash can.
Paige felt a complex mix of emotions. Enrico's need for control was terrifying. If this is what happens to a few roses growing over the wall, what would happen if she tried to escape?
A hot, large hand suddenly pressed down on her head.
Enrico looked down at her, his fingers brushing her chin. "Little thing, don't think about betraying me. I provide for you, and if you dare to run away, I will..."
He abruptly stopped mid-sentence.
What would he do?
He squeezed her chin, staring at her closely. His lips were almost touching her nose, his breath warm on her face. "I'll bury you under the rose bushes as flower mud."
Paige's heart skipped a beat.
"Don't think you can hide anywhere. In Country A, there's no one I can't find."
Enrico's gaze was threatening.
Paige sat stiffly on his lap, leaning back involuntarily. If it weren't for his hand supporting her back, she would have fallen over.
She really wondered if Enrico had seen through her. Did he know she was planning to escape? But if he did, why hadn't he exposed her?
Enrico suddenly chuckled softly, his finger lightly tapping her nose. "Scared? Little thing, could it be you understand what I'm saying? It seems you're not as crazy as you pretend to be."